Riding Lessons

Riding Lessons for Otterbein Students

Otterbein's riding lessons are focused on developing both the horse and rider. Instructors integrate several different techniques and disciplines to create educated equestrians. The health, fitness, and balance of horse and rider are also stressed throughout.

No public riding lessons are currently being offered

Guidelines for Riding Lessons

Riding lessons are held at the Knowlton Center of Equine Science. You must provide your own transportation and allow 10 minutes to and from the stables.

All students are required to wear smooth-soled, over-the-ankle boots with a heel or they will not be permitted to participate. In order to ride you must bring an ASTM/SEI approved riding helmet.

All students must complete a liability waiver and an emergency contact form prior to riding. Any student under the age of 18 must have both parents or legal guardians sign the waiver.

Otterbein students may register for group, private or semi-private lessons. New students are encouraged to take an assessment before registering for lessons.

All groups have a maximum of six riders, and semi-privates have two riders.

Otterbein Equestrian Team members are required to take two lessons a week.

How to Determine Your Riding Level

Beginner 2: Students that can walk, posting trot, and canter one at a time.

Intermediate 1: Students that can walk, posting trot, canter comfortably in a group, and have some over-fences experience.

Intermediate 2: Students that can canter and jump a 2'3" course comfortably on an unfamiliar horse.

Intermediate 3: Students that have competed over fences at a minimum height of 2'6".

Advanced 1: Students can canter a course of at least 3’ and adjust strides to the fences on an unfamiliar horse.

Advanced 2: Students can jump an equitation and/or cross country course at a height of at least 3’6” on an unfamiliar horse.

Dressage Riders

Intermediate 1: Students can maintain a contact with steady hands and canters comfortably in a group.

Intermediate 2: Students can comfortably sit the trot, perform basic lateral movements, and put an uncomplicated horse "on the aids".

Advanced: Students are able to put any horse “on the aids”, lengthen and shorten strides, sit the trot, and influence gaits with the seat on any horse.

*All beginner riders will need to register for a beginner hunt seat lesson.

Horsing Around: Otterbein’s Equine Science Camp

This English riding camp is a perfect fit for middle school students who love to compete, but it is also a great opportunity for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders and high school students who just want to ride. Campers will ride an hour and a half to two hours each day and learn the ins and outs of horse handling.